Chinese Nationals Arrested in Georgia for $400K Uranium Smuggling Plot

Authorities in the country of Georgia say they have foiled a major nuclear smuggling attempt involving several Chinese nationals accused of trying to buy uranium on the black market, according to the Associated Press (AP).

Georgia’s State Security Service (SSG) announced on Saturday that three Chinese nationals had been detained in Tbilisi. Buying illegally Approximately 4.4 pounds of uranium for $400,000, according to the outlet.

Officials said the suspects planned to transport nuclear material to China via Russia.

According to AP, the agency said, “Three Chinese nationals have been detained in Tbilisi while trying to illegally buy 2 kilograms of nuclear material – uranium.”

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Authorities arrested several Chinese nationals in Georgia in connection with a uranium smuggling plot. (Georgia State Security Service)

Security officials are seen in video footage released by the agency Georgian Capital Seizing bottles of what is known to be uranium and arresting several people on the spot.

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Two bottles of what is believed to be uranium were seized over the weekend in Tbilisi, Georgia. (Georgia State Security Service)

According to the SSSG, one of the suspects had overstayed his visa and was living in Georgia illegally, AP reported. He allegedly tried to find and retrieve the radioactive material, even bringing in experts from abroad to help, the outlet added. Other members of this group coordinated the operation from China.

“The criminals were identified and detained while negotiating the details of the illegal transaction,” the security service said.

The agency did not say when the arrests were made or the identities of the suspects.

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Georgian authorities take away a suspect after authorities foiled a uranium smuggling plot in Tbilisi. (Georgia State Security Service)

The latest arrest follows a similar case in July, when Georgian authorities detained a foreign national and a Georgian citizen. Selling uranium Worth $3 million. Officials said the material could be used to make explosive devices or carry out terrorist attacks.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.